How many days does it usually take to receive a notification after running a red light?
3 Answers
After running a red light, the notification of the violation captured by cameras is usually sent within 3 to 7 days, with the latest being around 13 days. However, some cities now offer "Instant Notification for Electronic Police Captures," where you can receive an SMS notification within 5-10 minutes of being captured. However, this notification does not equate to a confirmed violation; it serves merely as an alert. The final determination of whether a violation occurred will take 3-7 days, and if confirmed, another SMS notification will be sent. For violations captured by surveillance cameras, vehicle owners typically do not receive the violation SMS immediately, as there is a delay in processing. The duration of this delay can vary. After the electronic camera captures the violation, the relevant violation information needs to be transmitted through a dedicated channel to the traffic police management center. It is then compiled and forwarded to the relevant staff for verification. Once confirmed as a violation, the system automatically retrieves the vehicle owner's phone number based on the license plate information and sends the violation details via SMS. Only then will the vehicle owner receive the corresponding violation notification. After receiving the violation SMS, the vehicle owner must address the issue within one month before the annual vehicle inspection, either by visiting the local traffic police department or handling it online. Generally, if a vehicle owner suspects a violation, they can use 15 days as a benchmark. If no violation SMS is received within 15 days, it is likely that no violation was recorded. Methods for Traffic Violation Queries: Traffic violation queries refer to checking a motor vehicle's violations of traffic regulations through online platforms or query terminals. Methods include website queries, phone queries, SMS queries, mobile app queries, and offline terminal queries. Website Query: Search for "vehicle violation query" and input the vehicle information to check. Phone Query: Dial local 114 (area code + 114) or 12580 to confirm traffic violations. Violations can only be processed at the location where they occurred or at the vehicle's license plate registration office. For on-the-spot violations, such as those directly caught by traffic police, processing must occur at the violation location. SMS Query: Open the SMS interface on your phone, enter "WZ" followed by the license plate number and color, and send it to 1062650001. Mobile App Query: For iOS systems, open the "Traffic Management 12123" app (iOS 15 or above, version 2.8.1B437, or Android 12 or above, version 2.8.1B274), select "Violation Query," and clear any unresolved violations. Offline Terminal Query: Visit the local traffic management office and use the self-service query machine to input the license plate number and check recent violation records.
Last time I ran a red light while driving in the city, I received a text notification a few days later, roughly around four to five days or up to a week, but it depends on the location. Mine was in Beijing, where the system processes things faster. A friend in Shanghai mentioned it might take a bit longer, often over a week. Actually, after the camera captures the violation, the data needs to be transmitted to the traffic police system for review, and only after confirming the license plate and owner information will they send the text. It’s quite a hassle, so don’t easily believe the online rumors about a guaranteed three-day notice. The text will also mention how many points are deducted and the fine amount—usually six points and around 200 RMB. To avoid such surprises, I now pay extra attention to traffic light changes while driving. Sometimes distractions or rushing can lead to mistakes. I recommend using a mobile app like Traffic Management 12123 to check for violations in real-time. Developing good habits can help reduce fines.
As a frequent driver, I find that the timing of SMS notifications is quite irregular, typically ranging from 5 to 10 days. After being caught by a traffic camera that time, I checked my phone messages several times, feeling quite anxious; the notification finally arrived on the sixth day, stating a fine of 150 yuan and 6 penalty points. The system behind this is quite complex: the camera captures the license plate photo, which is then verified for accuracy either manually or by AI, and matched with the phone number registered to the vehicle owner before the notification can be sent. Efficiency varies by city, with smaller cities sometimes taking up to two weeks. By the way, running a red light not only results in fines but also affects insurance premiums and annual vehicle inspections. I recommend everyone regularly check their phone message settings to avoid missing alerts, which helps address issues promptly and prevent them from escalating. Developing safe driving habits is essential—don’t risk running red lights, for your own safety and others'.
